Friday, January 29, 2010

Once a week I post interviews with interesting designers about their insights on their experience of working in the Knitting industry. I’ve noticed that every designer makes their living in a slightly different manner bringing their own unique presence to the Knitting world.

Where do you find inspiration?I find inspiration from movies, vintage clothing stores, magazines, and just shopping (even in places like Walmart). To me, fashion begets fashion and all the little details I see go into the big blender of my brain to be used at a future time.What is your favourite knitting technique?I love lace. I enjoy knitting it and I like the airy, delicate feel of items that feature lacework.How did you determine your size range?I’m personally smack in the middle of my size range, so I started from myself and graded up and down from my own size.Do you look at other designers work or are you afraid that you will be influenced by their designs?I look at everyone’s work, knitwear, crochet, cut and sew..you name it. I may be inspired by pieces that already exist in some form, but by the time I’ve had my way with them they are a whole new item. Many of the items in my book Knitting Lingerie Style were inspired by garments I’d done many years ago for Frederick’s of Hollywood except for the fact that they were knitted.How do you feel about the so called controversy of “dumbing down” patterns for knitters?I think certain knitters need that sort of simplicity. Others don’t. I think the consumer dictates what they want and will find and buy what they need.How many sample/test knitters do you have working for you or do you do it all yourself?I have used sample knitters but many of my garments are so fitted that I need to do some of the fitting as I knit to work out the pattern. Did you do a formal business plan?Yes, at some point we did, but it is a fluid entity that changes as the need arises and the market evolves. We update it as often as we find necessary.Do you have a mentor?No, not really. I have been at this for about 12 years now and was working in a vacuum without much contact with other designers for the first few years, so I guess I blazed my own trail.Do you have a business model that you have emulated?No, and I say that because when we first began White Lies Designs, there were not a lot of sites selling primarily knitting patterns. It was all about winging it and developing the business model as we went along.What impact has the Internet had on your business?It has had an enormous impact since we sell retail online.Do you use a Tech Editor?Yes.How do you maintain your life/work balance?It’s difficult to do this since I have mixed my hobby with my livelihood, but one of the things I’ve had to do to maintain balance is take weekends off.. I knit on the weekends, but nothing else pertaining to work if I can help it.How do you deal with criticism?I examine it closely to see where it’s coming from and if the criticism is valid, I take it into consideration. Criticism can be an excellent tool for determining what you customer really needs and wants. For example we began offering smaller sizes due to complaints about our larger size range. I decided it was foolish to exclude smaller folks, so began to size down and our bottom line reflected the expanded customer base.How long did it take for you to be able to support yourself?White Lies Designs was supporting itself the first year we were in business, and within 2 ½ years was supporting the household. I say this with the caveat that the knitting industry was on the upswing at that time. Within the economic climate today, I wouldn’t expect to see those results in the same amount of time.What advice would you give someone who wants to pursue a career in knitting?At this point in time, I would have to advise any aspiring designers to hang on to their day job as long as possible. Remuneration can be sporadic, projects fall through, and fees are not what they should be for freelance designers. The market is just groaning under the weight of all the free patterns, cheap patterns, indy designers patterns and books that have hit the market in the last few years. It is a far different landscape now than when I got into the business and I can’t say that I wouldn’t feel intimidated by it if I were looking at knitwear design as a career today.It takes talent, drive, professionalism, creativity in more than just designing and a very deep love of the craft to make a living at it.On the positive side if you have what it takes, there is nothing quite like it. I love what I do; truly madly, deeply.

The topic is also coming up a lot in the knitting world. Janet Szabo says on her blog “As I've noted in previous blog posts, I'm finding it harder and harder to compete with all the free knitting information that can be found all over the Internet. I've been in this business for 13 years, and it's gotten a lot harder in the past couple of years to make a living at it. Janet can be found here http://bigskyknitting.com/Blog/Sep09Blog.html

Annie modesitt has also tackled her concerns herehttp://www.modeknit.com/2009/02/valuing-our-work.htmlShe speaks more about the lack of value our work gets than to the issue of free content but I can’t help but think that the two are interrelated. People don’t place a premium on items they get for free and the numbers of free patterns out there are devaluing the paid patterns. Many designers produce free patterns as a marketing tool but this may ultimately bite us back. I’m considering a free pattern for this blog but I find myself conflicted about the idea. Some designers on Ravelry have reported that their free patterns do not increase the sales on their paid patterns.

In our digital economy with many “wanna” be designers (me included) and lower barriers to enter publishing, it's quite natural that the price will be lowered. If a designer can gain market share by charging less, a rational one will charge less but to what end? Will we devalue the market to the point that none of us can make a living? We're always going to need designers, but the business model is clearly changing and not all of us will survive. I have time to test my own abilities due to some private income but it does cost me money to produce patterns and ultimately there will come a point where if I can’t turn a profit it won’t make sense for me to pursue a design career. What do you think?

Monday, January 25, 2010

If you are at a loss as to how to go about developing your own style try looking at celebrities (current or past) for inspiration. You can use the Internet, magazines or books to find photo’s of your chosen style icon. Next write down ideas that you like from their style. When you go shopping, take your list of ideas and a few photos of your target look.

If you chose Katharine Hepburn as your staring point note her elegant androgynous style with its preppy influences. Hepburn was known for adding glamour to mannish clothing. She was often seen in a simple shirt, wide leg trousers, and with a sweater tosses casually over her shoulders. To interpret her look for yourself try a striped cotton shirt, wide leg pants and a fine knit cardigan. Wear simple classic pieces of jewelry and accessories and you have her “look”.

If Catherine Deneuve was your starting point think classic but sexy and ultra feminine. She was known for her beautifully tailored Yves Saint Laurent outfits and timeless Roger Vivier pumps. She was like many French beauties the face of Chanel No 5 for a time. To imitate Catherine's look you would choose a classic figure flattering shift dress in camel, red or black. Wear it with a cropped jacket, big sunglasses and sexy heels for understated glamour and wear your hair in a elegant sophisticated style and you are done!

Friday, January 22, 2010

Once a week I post interviews with interesting designers about their insights on their experience of working in the Knitting industry. I’ve noticed that every designer makes their living in a slightly different manner bringing their own unique presence to the Knitting world.

From textiles. I have a fascination with patterning and decoration - be it on printed or dyed cloth, woven rugs or knitted sweaters.

What is your favourite knitting technique?

The brioche stitch, of course.

Do you look at other designers work or are you afraid that you will be influenced by their designs?

I look at everyone’s work and most of the time think to myself “why didn’t I think of that?” I am constantly amazed at the new knitting ideas designers keep coming up with.

How do you feel about the so called controversy of “dumbing down” patterns for knitters?

I think there are patterns out there for everyone. I just pass by the “dumbed down” ones but I know that a lot of knitters are still learning and that a lot of knitters really don’t want much of a challenge. That’s fine, whatever works.

How many sample/test knitters do you have working for you or do you do it all yourself?

I do most of the knitting myself but have a wonderful woman who knits a lot of my big pieces for sweaters. She knits the pieces and then I put the garment together. For my book, two knitting friends, Alex (underdutchskies on ravelry) made the Bloemenvelden Scarf and Malia (maliamather on ravelry) helped with the Book Exchange Cardigan.

Did you do a formal business plan?

No, but knitting is not my main source of income. I work as a freelance graphic designer and that pays the bills.

Do you have a mentor?

Every one of those great knitting teachers. I admire anyone who can teach well and there are a lot of good ones out there.

What impact has the Internet had on your business?

If I weren’t such a web duffus I think it would have more of an impact. Ravelry has made it possible for all designers, including myself, to make their patterns available to a huge knitting public. Ravelry has made a huge impact on knitting.

Do you use a Tech Editor?

For the book I got to use Sue McCain, one of the best.

How do you maintain your life/work balance?

Like I said before, I am a graphic designer by profession but I have a MFA in textile design. Because knitting is not my main form of income but my passion, I have the luxury of knitting when I want and what I want. I rarely have the pressures of getting projects done on time which can jeopardize the quality of the pattern and design.

How do you deal with criticism?

Badly, like everyone else. A million people can compliment my work, but I will always remember that one who criticized.

What advice would you give someone who wants to pursue a career in knitting?

Educate yourself as much as you can. At the same time work on developing your own knitting creativity. Try combinations of stitches, combinations of techniques and combinations of fiber. And don’t let yourself be paid less than what your time is worth.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Sometimes we find our personal style while trying to hide a flaw. The beautiful Boleyn sleeve on this gown is thought to have been worn by Anne Boleyn to hide a small growth on one of her baby fingers.

Or what about Isabella Blow who often was photographed with her face obscured by an amazing hat?

I’ve read that Candice Bergen doesn’t like her neck so look at these photo's and notice how much of her neck is covered up.

I have very small feet and often wear pointed toes for the extra visual length they give my feet. What part of your body don't you like? Can you turn it into a style asset?

Monday, January 18, 2010

I'm a ballet fan and have been for years. Twyla Tharp is possibly the leading choreographer of her generation. So when she put out her book The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life. I looked forward to reading it. Her basic premise is that there is nothing magical about creativity, it is the product of preparation and effort, and it's within reach of everyone who wants to achieve it.

Her focus is often on process not product which is a common topic for Knitters. Much of the book does refer to dance as she inhabits that world, however she uses exercises for creativity that would apply to anyone in any creative endeavour.

She uses many other artists as examples and speaks of the power of practice. I especially liked a section where she tells us to accept that there aren't totally new ideas and to stop worrying that we won't be seen as breaking new ground. Instead that we are rearranging things in a new way. This comes up a lot among Knitting Designers as we all use the same stitch dictionaries and work with similar silhouettes while being influenced by main stream fashion. This is a book that I will reread again in the future as I pursue my own creative career.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Once a week I post interviews with interesting designers about their insights on their experience of working in the Knitting industry. I’ve noticed that every designer makes their living in a slightly different manner bringing their own unique presence to the Knitting world.

Where do you find inspiration?Some yarns inspire me, colors always inspire me, but I find my greatest inspiration in the shape and silhouette of historic fashion.

What is your favourite knitting technique?I love lace. I used to hate it, I couldn't make sense of the directions, but with charts I have embraced lace and hope I design pieces that make it possible for OTHERS to embrace it, too!

How did you determine your size range?I'd like to offer a wide range of sizes. I'm not small, so I feel like a traitor to the cause if I don't put in a size that would fit me. But sometimes the sizes are limited by stitch pattern repeats. Taking the fact that a motif may repeat of 25 sts, and 5 sts = 1" can alter my ability to offer a wide variety of sizes (I may only be able to do a XS, S, L, XL in those cases).

Do you look at other designers work or are you afraid that you will be influenced by their designs?I don't really seek out other designer's work. I can't help but see it - there SO much wonderful stuff around - and when I DO see it I try hard not to be too influenced by what another designer's done. I think it's VERY possible for two people to come to the same design solution from different routes, which is why often - quite innocently - there are patterns that have significant similarities.

How do you feel about the so called controversy of "dumbing down" patterns for knitters?
I feel dumb that I'm not aware that it's a controversy! I trust the intelligence of my knitters, I work with magazines that trust the intelligence of their knitters, so for me there's no controversy!

How many sample/test knitters do you have working for you or do you do it all yourself?At any given time I have 2 or 3 folks I call on, among them Miriam Tegels, the Guiness World Record holder for fastest knitter (and a lovely person!) I find myself working up most of my patterns for my current book, "History on Two Needles", because I'm having a hard time mentally detaching myself enough to write the pattern up cold and send it to a knitter. This is definitely a fault and flaw, I need to get better about this.

Did you do a formal business plan?
No. At one time I did, things worked well, but now I just continue doing what I'm doing.

Do you have a mentor?No, not really. There are knitters and designers who have influenced me greatly - Priscilla Gibson Roberts, Lucy Neatby, Sally Melville, Nicki Epstein, Deborah Newton, Norah Gaughn & Kristen Nicholas. And there are editors who helped me shape my vision, Pam Allen and Melanie Falick from Interweave Knits figure large in this. But no "got-your-back" mentor.

Do you have a business model that you have emulated?No, not really. I see things that other web-savvy, innovative knitters, like Shannon Okey, Stephanie Japel & Cat Bordhi have done, and I'm inspired by them (and may even mimic them) but from my decision to self publish "Confessions of a Knitting Heretic" I've felt pretty much on my own road.

What impact has the Internet had on your business?There would be no knitting career for me if it weren't for the Internet, it's that simple. The Internet has allowed me to connect with an audience, develop a 'brand', market myself, promote my products and keep up with developments in my industry. All that would have been possible without the Internet, but not without a huge investment of money, time and development of many different skill sets.

Do you use a Tech Editor?Yes. I'm currently starting to have the patterns for History on Two Needles tech edited, I'm working with a few members of the Stitch Cooperative, Miriam Tegels and Kristi Porter to help me with the first few.

How do you maintain your life/work balance?
That's difficult. The lovely thing about what I do is that I do what I love. The hard thing is that by turning something I love into a business, I seldom have time to knit or crochet purely for fun. I work all the time, and yet there's always that haunting fear that I haven't done ENOUGH. This, of course, impacts on my husband and children.
The good part, though, is that I have flexibility so I CAN go to a school play, a baseball game, take my husband to the Mayo clinic whenever he has to go and I can work on the way or when I'm there. The flexibility is priceless.

How do you deal with criticism?Not as well as I'd like. I'm always working on that, on seeing the lesson in a critique, but it's hard. It depends often on how it's presented - is it a snarky dig, or a sincere expression of disappointment in a certain pattern? I have the hardest time taking criticism from folks who don't seem to understand the amount of work that goes into something, but - as I said - I continue to work on that.

How long did it take for you to be able to support yourself?
The publishing of Confessions of a Knitting Heretic was the point where I was able to support myself. In the past 3 years that's spread to supporting my family, which is a lot harder.

What advice would you give someone who wants to pursue a career in knitting?
First I'd say try not to think of yourself as a "designer" or "writer" until you have a good number of patterns or articles published. This mental hurdle will help a new designer stay open to new ways of doing things, and not lock themselves into a box after publishing just one pattern.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Once a week I post interviews with interesting designers about their insights on their experience of working in the Knitting industry. I’ve noticed that every designer makes their living in a slightly different manner bringing their own unique presence to the Knitting world.

My designs all seem to start from a single point and build from there. However, the point they start from varies enormously. Some start with a beautiful yarn that is evocative of a particular theme or mood (e.g. my Luna’s Moonlight socks), some from an interesting stitch pattern for which I want to create a special application (Lórien and my Lady of the Wood mittens), some from a wish to experiment with an interaction of pattern and shape (e.g. my Durmstrang socks), and some from a desire to design to a particular theme (my other Potter sock designs). The rest of the process is just like a problem-solving exercise in order to best express the original thought. Nevertheless, whichever point they start from my designs inevitably meander through many other fields of inspiration on their journey to the fully expressed idea. These other fields always include my knitting bookshelves, and often also include a visit to the work of other knitters and designers.

What is your favourite knitting technique?

Whichever I’m currently working with. Clearly I am a fickle lover!

How did you determine your size range?

It depends on who I am aiming at with my product. For example, my Hogwarts socks for children are sized in three age ranges from 5 – 13. It also depends on the constraints of the design elements – the size of the pattern repeats in my stranded sock designs only practicably permit two different foot lengths within the standard ladies’ size range, whereas the calf circumference can be fully customized in half-inch increments.

Do you look at other designers work or are you afraid that you will be influenced by their designs?

Other designers are a great source of inspiration for me in lots of ways; the way they use colour; how they combine different textures; their placement of design elements in a garment; their construction methods; their garment shaping, etc… So, I deliberately look at their work actually hoping to be influenced by it!

How many sample/test knitters do you have working for you or do you do it all yourself?

For my self-published patterns I knit the samples myself. I’m also working on a book though, and for that will be working with sample knitters as I’ve realised that it is too big a project to undertake alone. Recently I have also started working with test knitters via Ravelry. I find this is a wonderful way of working to improve the usability of my patterns before I publish them. Typically I take on ten testers for a pattern, and in exchange for some feedback about the pattern they get the pattern for free, including the final published version. The test itself involves ongoing open discussion in the testers' forum about the pattern and the testers' projects. It’s a fun process with lots of social aspects which make it a great way of working for me.

Do you have a mentor?

While I don’t have an official mentor, I get advice from other designers via the designers’ forums in Ravelry. There is a forum especially for British designers, and I think this is helping to foster a sense of community between independent British designers. There is a lot of goodwill, and the more established designers are very generous in sharing their knowledge and experience. In particular Pat Ashworth (of Woolly Thoughts), WoollyWormhead, and Fiona Morris have given me excellent advice. I am very grateful for their kindness.

Do you have a business model that you have emulated?

As I have noticed is the case with other designers, my own unique personality, interests, ideas, and ways of working are all involved in my manner of business. Consequently my business model has to be uniquely suited to me.

What impact has the Internet had on your business?

It is where it started!

How do you maintain your life/work balance?

There is no separation between them!

How do you deal with criticism?

I can use criticism to feel bad, or to grow. While I sometimes do the former I much prefer the latter. Consequently I work to keep myself conscious of that so that I can see the growth potential in any feedback I receive. I am fortunate to have done a lot of work with the Institute for Self-Actualization, and to have had coaching from Nigel Jardine. These have made a big difference to the way I deal with all kinds of things.

How long did it take for you to be able to support yourself?

::Laughs maniacally::

What advice would you give someone who wants to pursue a career in knitting?

Go for it! Of course, as with any other life plan, it will be necessary to manifest all kinds of qualities to make it work the way you want. I find that I constantly have to work on getting clear about what I want and on planning how I will create it.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

I wish I’d known about it sooner. I often re-knit items with different weight yarn (especially accessories). Usually it’s because I buy yarn not knowing what it is going to be when I get around to knitting it. So I often have odd balls left over that I like to use up knitting hats or gloves. This question used to come up as well when I worked in my LYS. Many knitters aren’t afraid to re-gauge an existing pattern often just knitting a different size to accommodate the differing stitch counts. You can often change to a heavier or lighter weight yarn than the original pattern called for with no negative consequences.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Years ago I was at a home party for a clothing line. As the presenter was showing each garment and discussing its benefits two people called out at the same time “Robin will like that skirt” and I did!

What that story tells me is that I have an identifiable personal style.

Finding their own style is something that many people struggle with. Part of the problem is that fashions change quickly so we think we are constantly being forced into reinventing our personal style. Yves Saint Laurent is famous for saying “Fashions fade, style is eternal.”For many finding that style is a struggle while others do it instinctively and with ease. Stylish people can’t always articulate exactly how they do it but I do believe that it is a teachable skill. The style challenged need to learn basic techniques and then practice the new skills like any other skill until it is automatic. It should be like muscle memory for dancing or riding a bike or like typing. Have you ever tried to write out the keyboard with the letters in the correct spots? I couldn’t do it yet my fingers find the keys faster than I can visually see them so I know I’m processing below the active level of consciousness.

So where should you start to find your style? I think the first area for you to explore is to start thinking about how you want to appear to the world. Are you dressing for yourself, your job, your community or your mate? There is no right or wrong answer here. You just want to establish a framework for your future style decisions. If you work in a very conservative industry you want to be dressed appropriately for that environment but you also want to have some of our own personality showing even when sticking to the “rules” of the workplace. If you do volunteer work your goal maybe very different so give this topic some thought and check back later for more postings on developing your own style. I’ll be writing again on this topic.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

A new year - a time when many of us set new or renewed goals. We tend to approach these fresh start times with an optimism about our ability to make changes in our lives. One of my life rules is "Run your own race". I see many people who set themselves up to fail by choosing impossible goals. I like every one else have done this in the past. You know the game, lose 20 pounds in 3 weeks or run a marathon in 3 months. I've experienced a lot more success by tracking my personal improvements against my past performance. A recent example was last spring when I decided I wanted to start doing push ups to improve my upper body strength and posture. I started by trying to do the classic military style push up. It didn't go well. I asked my husband to watch me and give me some tips. After observing and laughing out loud (easy for him as he is very fit), he said I needed to start smaller and lift free weights for a while because obviously I wasn't strong enough to start with push ups. So I did that for a week or two until I watched a weight loss program and saw an instructor show someone how to to a modified push up off of a bench. Wow! It worked I could do 3 that way. Then later I could do 10. Then later I could do 25. Now I'm doing 4 sets of 25, 3 times a week. I'm still working off a bench and I'm slowly moving the bench further down my body so eventually I will get to the classic style. So the lesson is not to choose an end goal it's to aim for an improvement, any improvement and then measuring yourself against your own performance.

So this is a knitting blog. What does this have to do with knitting? Pick your challenge and move towards it slowly. If you want to knit a cabled masterpiece of 12 different cables with different row counts and four different texture stitches in between the cables. Start small. Choose a simpler version and build slowly to your intended goal. You will get there in small increments. Instead of choosing to start with the masterpiece and giving up before you accomplish anything because the standard was to high for your current skill level go slowly, enjoy the process and measure your steps not some other knitter's.

About Me

email contact robinknits(AT)gmail(dot)com
I've been knitting my whole life. I don't even remember learning. I started making garments for myself in my teens and then explored sewing, tailoring and millinery. I want to teach knitters about fit and flattery and turn them into fashion stars!
On my blog you will find lots of interviews with knitting industry professionals, how to tutorials and a variety of posts about what's going on in the knitting world.
I love to come out and speak at shops and guilds. Here's what the Downtown Knit collective said after one of my talks:
“Robin Hunter’s inspiring talk, “The Barbie Factor,” left everyone in a feel-good mood at the conclusion of the May meeting. Heads were nodding in agreement all around ... as she tackled a multi-faced problem faced by many knitters—why don’t we knit for ourselves? She touched on many topics including fashion, body image, media and how it all relates back to our knitting.”
You can see my patterns on http://www.patternfish.com/des/robin_hunter and you can find me on Ravelry at http://www.ravelry.com/people/knittingrobin
My YouTube channel is here:http://www.youtube.com/user/robinknits?feature=mhee